Foot Control Unit with Heel Support for Neutral Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot switches used in dental procedures require the dentist to move their body to realign their foot, causing interruptions and fatigue due to the need for visual contact and the lack of stability in the foot switch position, especially when controlling multiple functions.
Innovation Solution
A foot control unit with a heel support and strategically positioned switches that maintain the foot in a neutral muscular-skeletal position, allowing for minimal movement and continuous support, eliminating the need for visual contact and reducing fatigue by keeping the switches at a consistent distance for easy activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dentist uses a conventional inclined plate foot switch, then the foot switch can control multiple functions, but the dentist must repeatedly move their body and make visual contact to realign the foot with the switch, causing interruptions and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The foot switch device is segmented into distinct functional zones: an inclined plate portion with multiple switches for different functions, and a separate heel support structure. This segmentation allows the dentist to rest the heel on the stable heel support while using the toes to activate switches, eliminating the need to repeatedly realign the entire foot with the inclined plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel support acts as an intermediary element that provides a stable reference point and resting position for the foot. By placing the heel on the heel support, the dentist creates a stable base that eliminates the need to repeatedly realign the foot with the inclined plate, serving as a mediator between the foot and the switch-activating portion.
2Reliability
If the dentist keeps the foot lifted from the inclined plate to prevent unintentional activation, then accidental function changes are prevented, but the dentist experiences fatigue and requires visual contact to realign the foot
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the foot into two functional zones: the heel rests on the heel support for stability and positioning, while only the toes need to make contact with the inclined plate to activate switches. This segmentation allows the majority of the foot to remain in a stable, non-activating position, preventing unintentional activation while minimizing the need for visual realignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel support pre-establishes the correct positioning and orientation of the foot before switch activation is needed. By providing a stable resting position that automatically aligns the foot correctly, the preliminary positioning eliminates the need for repeated visual contact and realignment actions during the procedure.
3Device complexity
If the inclined plate and base are positioned without retention features, then the device structure remains simple, but the inclined plate moves when switches are depressed, requiring visual contact to realign the foot
Solution Approach 1:
The heel support is merged with the base structure to form a single stable unit. This integration ensures that when the heel rests on the heel support, the entire base-heel support structure remains stable and prevents movement of the inclined plate during switch activation, eliminating the need for visual realignment without adding complex retention features.
4Measurement precision
If the dentist makes visual contact with the inclined plate to realign the foot, then accurate switch activation is achieved, but the dental procedure must be interrupted and the instrument removed from the patient's oral cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The heel support creates an equipotential positioning system where the heel rest position automatically establishes the correct alignment for toe activation of all switches. This eliminates the need for visual contact and repeated realignment actions, allowing continuous procedure performance without interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heel support provides self-aligning functionality by automatically positioning the foot in the correct orientation when the heel rests on it. This self-service positioning mechanism eliminates the need for the dentist to visually check and manually realign the foot, maintaining procedure continuity and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a foot control unit having a plurality of switches for use by a dentist, surgeon, or other professional that is ergonomically designed to minimize body movement during activation and to prevent interruptions of the procedure being performed that may be caused by the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the design provides for the operator's, e.g., the dentist's, foot to be continuously and comfortably supported in a neutral muscular-skeletal position by a portion of the foot control unit both at rest and during activation. By providing the foot with a neutral muscular-skeletal position at rest, the position of each of the switches may be kept at a substantially minimal and substantially equal distance from a corresponding activating part of the foot. This allows for the foot control unit of the present invention to minimize muscular activities and movement during activation.